Threatened to light petrol in his home

Court hammer

Published:07:33Monday 08 August 2016

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A 43-year-old man who poured petrol in his home and threatened to light it told police he wanted to go out with a bang.

Conrad Robinson, Granville Road, Portadown, admitted that on March 27 this year without lawful excuse he made a threat to damage his property in a way that would be likely to endanger the lives of others.

Craigavon Magistrates Court heard last Wednesday that at 7.30pm police were tasked to an address at Festival Road in Portadown.

Robinson was threatening to set fire to the property. From an open window he said he had poured petrol in the house and was going to light it.

After half an hour he was arrested and taken to Craigavon Area Hospital.

He said that he had an argument with his partner and smashed up his own house.

Robinson also told police he wanted to go out with a bang.

A solicitor representing the defendant was actually trying to hurt himself.

Robinson had indulged in alcohol after a period of abstinence and this affected his behaviour, the solictor said.

District Judge, Mr Mervyn Bates, said Robinson did not have a bad record but this was a ‘very serious scenario’.

He imposed a probation order for 18 months with the conditions the defendant undergoes the alcohol and drug counselling programme and engages in any assessments.

“You are being given a chance to address your behaviour in an active and positive way,” the judge told Robinson.